A masked suspect made off with a $2,500 e-bike parked in a spot behind the lobby of an apartment complex in Newark's 100 block of Court Street, fleeing eastbound with surveillance video capturing the theft. The victim had parked the e-bike on July 30 while visiting relatives, only to return the next day and find the bike gone. Now Newark police are asking the public for help identifying the person responsible.
According to Newport Dispatch, surveillance video from July 31 shows the suspect taking the e-bike before running eastbound on Court Street. Police describe the suspect as a Black male with a thin build who wore black clothing and a ski mask, and who carried a black bookbag during the theft. Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. has urged anyone with information about the suspect's identity to come forward.
Tips Can Stay Anonymous
Residents with information can call the Newark Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). Tips may be submitted anonymously, and the tip line may offer cash rewards, per the Newark Police Division.
Miranda took over as public safety director in November 2024 after a 23-year career with the Newark Police Division, where he previously served as chief of police and commanded the Robbery Unit, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety. Miranda leads the Newark Department of Public Safety.
Part of a Broader Property Theft Push
The Court Street case has drawn a public appeal from Miranda's office.
Just a day before the e-bike appeal went public, Newark police and Miranda issued a separate call for help locating 52-year-old Laroy Irving for questioning in a Central Avenue robbery case from May 12, as reported by Shore News Network.
New State Rules for E-Bikes
The theft involves an e-bike in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, e-bikes must be registered with the agency, while low-speed electric bicycles do not require insurance but must be registered.
The stolen e-bike was valued at $2,500.
What the Suspect Could Face
The investigation continues.
Theft investigation unfolds against a backdrop of overall improving crime numbers in Newark. The 2025 crime statistics showed a 19% reduction in overall violent crime in 2025, with robberies down 38% year-over-year and the city recording its lowest annual murder total since 1953, per Patch. The Court Street e-bike theft highlights the role of surveillance footage and public tips in efforts to track down suspects.
